Looking Down Versus Looking Up

Examining a scene from Silence of the Lambs, we can clearly pick out what strategies are being used to convey the power struggle between the two characters Starling and Lecter. First off, the two are portrayed as equals by having the camera at their eye levels but slowly the shift in power changes. Starling sits down and suddenly the camera is now looking down on her as though she has less power. Meanwhile, Lecter is now viewed from a different perspective. The camera is looking up at him as though he has greater power. In addition to this, more subtle changes are made to express who is getting into the others' head. One character might be looking slightly off screen that is our first clue. For example, when Starling does this, the camera also cuts to see what she sees, but then it returns to Lecter. Later, when Lecter asks, "Do you know why he's called 'Buffalo Bill'?", we shift to his point of view. The power struggle appears to be tipping in Starling's favor, but Lecter snatches control again. They converse further and the camera dollies to make Starling appear short sided, making it very clear that she has lost the struggle. To finalize his victory, he now appears higher on the camera than Starling to prove that they are no longer seeing eye to eye. He then turns away form her and walks away, and she does the same. Ultimately, Lector wins the confrontation, but gives up his victory. Starling won the confrontation because she got Lecter to look at the survey, but the win felt more like a humiliation than a victory.

Excellent example of a visual power struggle. These techniques would be good for anybody planning on working in the industry. Camera angles are very important and can reveal more emotion and power than one might expect. I agree that the camera holds great power and has the ability to express a power struggle without the use of words. What are all the ways that cameras can express emotions and power struggles. Anyone can benefit from learning these techniques.